The Public Opinion Soapbox

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 62

There are 2105 members in the Soapbox and the list grows daily. Many, or most, are from places like Romania, Kenya, England etc. and have 0 posts. Can you tell us why?
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onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Chambersburg

They're spammers trying to get you to click their links.

How can you possibly resist the promise of viagra or free hot sex now?!

Must.
Resist.
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I demand euphoria!

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 62

Curiosity killed the cat didn't it? Oops! Did I say cat??
Thanks Chel.
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onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

anonymous_coward · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 486

shouldn't you have known that before you asked?

postaff · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Chambersburg

.45chel, you are correct, the majority are spammers/bots who hammer the PO site (and others) day and night. Deleting them would take hours and is futile. They don't post anything but want people to click on the links in their "profiles."

We are launching a new Web site design in April and we are hoping to lose most of the spammers in the transition. If that doesn't work, we'll try something else.

Becky

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2251 Location: Chambersburg

Can't you include an alphanumeric code to be entered in order to register, much like posting on Topix?

anonymous_coward · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 486

i believe if this were a publicopiniononline domain or if phpbbweb.com had this available they could.

postaff · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Chambersburg

There is a visual code in the registration process but they are getting around it.

onewhoknows · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 62

What is the purpose and how does the alphanumeric code work?
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onewhoknows
Common sense is not so common

postaff · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Chambersburg

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1777 Location: shippensburg

i was gonna type up an explanation of the code and how it works on websites (tecchy nerd, remember), but wiki made it easier. i get longwinded sometimes (hehe)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphanumeric_code

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 400

PO Staff - is there a way we can be helpful in pointing out the spam posts? I guess if they start a new topic - like, say, "Top 2008's professional software" or something - you'll probably find it soon enough, right? Should we come here to point them out or isn't that necessary?

Do you delete those accounts when it's obvious what they are all about?

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1777 Location: shippensburg

where i used to work (i was in the web/programming dept. that also took care of a forum site)...we used to do to read thru and make sure all was well and if a spam actually did slip thru we'd delete it and suspend the acct. but this was elsewhere, not sure how the p.o. does it.....

postaff · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Chambersburg

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1777 Location: shippensburg

how does one do that?

cuz i think i see one i local...at least it reads like one....not sure tho.

hum.....iffy that.